Type-writing machine.



B. C. STI'CKNEY. TYPE WRITI'NG MACHINE APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. 1911. p

Patenned May 16,1916.

BURNHAM C. STICKNEY, 0F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN'OR TO UNDERWOOD TYPE-WRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING'MAQHINE.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

, Application filed December 4, 1911. Serial No. 663,884.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. BURNI-IAM G. STICK- :vnr, a citizen of the United States, residing in Elizabeth, in the county of Union and.

State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- Writing Machines, of which the following 4 a positively acting train ofconnections between the line-space wheel and the platen, so that the platen will not either overthrow or underthrow when the usual line-spacing lever is violently actuated, and so as to render the machine more reliable under all conditions; while permitting easy releas of the platen from the line-space wheel when desired.

Other objects are to secure these results by inexpensive, compact and durable mechanism, and to construct a device which can be readily applied to existing machines.

The accompanying drawings show the preferred form of my present improvements. In this-form, an internal gear device is secured to the line-space wheel. A

pinion meshes with said internal gear, and is pivoted to an arm which isfixed to the axle towhich the platen is also fixed or connected. I also provide two loosearms, each carrying a pinion to mesh with said internal gear, and each movable independently of the other (and independently of said fixed arm) about the platen axle; such movement of the loose arms being independent also of the line-space wheel. These pinions upon the loose arms are held by a spring in mesh with .the gear on the-fixed arm. One of the loose arms is disposed on one side of the fixed arm, and the other arm is disposed on the other side thereof. Hence one of the loose arm pinions, by reason of its engagement on the internal gear'and with the fixed arm pinion, prevents relative movement or shake of the line-space wheeland platen in one direct-iomwhile the other of said loose arm pinions prevents such relative movement or shake in the opposite direction.

It will be understood that one loose arm and its pinion may cooperate with the fixed arm and its pinion and with the internal gear, to lock the platen and line-space wheel firmly against relative rotation in either forward or backward direction. However, since the pinions may not in all cases mesh. perfectly, so as to-provide the desired rigid connection between the line space wheel and platen, I contrive that each pinion shall be relied upon only to prevent relative movement in one direction while the other. loose pinion is relied upon to prevent such relative movement in the opposite direction.

As a further provision against shaking 'or relative slipping movement between the platen and the line space wheel, when there is failure on the part of either or both loose pinions to mesh with the teeth on the fixed arm pinion, that is, when the teeth of the pinions interfere instead of interengaging, I provide two auxiliary or reserve loose arms. each carrying a pinion in mesh with said internal gear, for engagement with the said fixed arm pinion. These reserve or auxiliary pinions however are differential from the first-mentioned loose pinions, be-

ing preferably of difi'erent diameters, so that their teeth are presented to the fixed arm pinion (or common pinion) differently from the first-mentioned loose pinions, so that in case the teeth on either of the first-mentioned loose pinions interfere with the teeth of the common pinion, then the teeth on the corresponding loose pinion are sure to mesh with the teeth on the common pinion, so that play or shake between the line space wheel and platen, in either direction, is entirely avoided. In other words, if one loose arm fails to connect, the other loose arm on the same side of the common pinion must necessaril'y make the desired connection between the platen and the line-space wheel.

A finger-piece is connected to means for separating the loose pinions from the common pinion concomitantly. so that the platen 3 may be rotated independently of the line the Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1v is a sectional front elevation of the linespacing platen releasing mechanism. Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevation. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan illustrating the train-of gear and pinions. Figsl is a part sectional elevat-ion,

.pla-ten axle;

. platen frame,

showingthe platen-releasing movement of the releasekey: the key being detained in its effective position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged diagram. showing an endelevation of the trains of gears and means for controlling the same. Fig. 6 is aperspective view of a head intended-to be fixed to the platen axle and to carry a common pinion and certain of the releasing devices. Figs. 7 to 10 are details of levers or arms loosely mounted ,upon the platen axle to carry various' mechanism, including a driving pawl 9. Fixed upon the line-space wheel 6 is an and carries at annular internal gear or rack 10, such as is gear 10.

commonly terlned a ring-gear, seated in and fixed to an annular flange 11 which projects from the face of the line-space wheel. Fixed to the platen axle 3 by means of apin 12 or otherwise, is a hub 12 of an arm 13, to the free end of which is pivoted a pinionlt meshing closely with the gear 10. Loose upon the platen axle 3, and preferably journaled to rotate on said hub 12, is an arm 15 carrying a pinion 16, also in mesh with the Also loosely journaled upon said hub 12, is an arm 17 carrying a pinion 18 likewise in mesh with said gear 10, and on the opposite side of llfrom 16.

By means of devices now to be described, the pinions 16 and 18 are brought into mesh with the common pinion 1 1; pinion 16 then preventing rotation of 14c in one direction, while the pinion 18 prevents rotation of 14 in the opposite direction. This control of pinions 16 and 18 is effected by. attached at one end I 22 of abell crank,"

springs 19 and 20. 19 is to a pin 21 on an arm said arm attached to a rock shaft 23, which carries at its inner end the other arm 24 of the bell crank. This arm 2 1 has a cam slot 25 to engage a pin 26 which projects from an arm 27, which branches from the arm 15. The spring 19 is pulled downwardly at Fig. 5, swings the arm 24 to the left, and by means of the cam slot 25, urges the arms 27, 15 toward the. left together with the pinion 16, the latter rotating until it strikes a tooth of the pinion 14, in which position the arm 15 and pinion 16 are locked, by reason of the engagement of thelocking cam, 25 with the pin 26, so that accidental relative movement between the arms 13 and 15 cannot occur, and the pinions remain fixed in their relative positions. The arm 17 carrying pinion 18 is likewise connected; the draw spring 20 engaging a pin 28 on an arm 29 which extends from the rock shaft 30, the latter also carrying at its inner end an arm 31 having a cam slot 32 to engage a pin 33 on a branch 31 of arm 17 the operation of the spring 20 being to carry the arm 17 and the pinion 18 to the right until 18 engages 14:, and to lock the parts in this position.

The rock shafts 23 and 30 are mounted in bosses 35 and 36. projecting to the left at Fig. 1 from a plate 37, which is integral with the arm 13 and hub 12 said bosses and plate being under or below the axle 3 at Fig. 5 for the sake of compactness, the space above said axle being occupied by the gear trains.

It will be understoo d that under mostv circumstances, the loose pinions 16 and 18 will be drawn by the springs 19 and 20 into proper engagement with the common pinion let but it is possible that either of the loose pinions may be occasionally presented to the common pinion in such a mannerthat the tips of the pinion teeth will interfere. so that a complete proper connection will not be made between the line space wheel and platen, to prevent relative slip thereof in either direction. If the teeth of the gear 10 and the pinions are made very fine, however,

the possible slip between the line space wheel and platen will be very slight, and where extreme accuracy of adjustment of the platen is not desired, such slight slip may not prove a serious objection; and in such a case only the two loose pinions 16 and 18 may be employed. In the preferred form of the invention however, the gear and pinion teeth are of substantial size, in order to secure a strong connection between the platen and line space wheel, and hence there is some liability of interference of the pinion teeth. To provide for this contingency I have added an arm 38 similar to 15, and behind the same or to the right thereof at Fig. 1; and I have also provided an arm 39 similar to 17 and behind the latter at Fig. 5. These arms 38 and. 39 are both looseupon the hub 12*, and are each movable independently of the other and of the remaining arms; .and they carry respectively pinions 410 and 41. These pinions are spring pressed or cammed toward the common pinion l4, and they are preferably of substantially larger'diameter than the pinions 16 and 18, so as to be substantially differentiated there from, whereby when the teeth on 16, for

instance, interfere with the teeth on 14, then the teeth on 40 will mesh with the teeth on 14 to the desired extent for the purpose ,specifiedy'and conversely if the teeth on 40 interfere with or abut against the tips -on 14,. then the teeth' on 16 will properly mesh orengage with the teeth 14; these pinions 16 and 40 being independently movable with relation to 14, and the springs urging or camming constantly both pinions 16 and 33 into mesh with 14. The same holds true of pinions 18 and 41 with respect to 14. Therefore either 16 or 40 is sure to cause a positive connection to be effected in one direction between the line space wheel and platen, and at the same time either 18 40 cannot concomitantly interfere with or same is true of 18 and 41. Each of the loose pinions 16, 18, 40 and 41 constitutes a lockor locking element, as it-locks the platen and line-space wheel together when brought into contact with the pinion 14.

It will be noticed that the spring 19 performs the same function for pinion 41 that it does for pinion 16; said spring being connected at its lower end at'Fig. 5 to an arm 42 on a shaft 43 journaled in boss said shaft carrying at its inner end an arm 44 having a cam slot 45 to engage a pin 46 on arm 47, which is rigid with the arm 39; the slot 45,. like the remaining slots, being inclined at such an'angle as to lock the arm 39 to the arm 13, and the pinion 41 to the pinion 14.

r The spring 20 is also connected to an arm- 48 fixed to a rock shaft 49 journaled in boss 36, and having an arm 50 provided with a locking cam slot 51, engaging a pin "52 on arm 53, which is rigid with arm 38 carrying pinion 40, so that the latteris also looked in mesh with pinion 14.

hen the loose arms swung to the positions seen at Fig. 2, the pinion 14 on the middle arm 13 will be disengaged from the pinions on said loose arms, agid hence the platen may be rotated independently of the line-space wheel.

The movements of the loose arms from locked position to the disengaged position at Fig. 2, is efiected by a finger piece or push button 54 mounted on a pair of stems 55 which pass through the hand wheel 5, and at their inner ends are fixed in a cone-shaped releasing cam. 56 mounted to slide along the platen axle 3. This cam engages the inner .ends of all the arms 22, 29, 42 and 48, and

swings them outwardly into positions seen.

at Fig, 2 ,-distend1ng the springs19, 20, arid causing the arms illPlplillQIl carrylng 24, 31, 44 and 50toswing devices to the released 15, 17, 38 and 39 are.

. cranks being journaled on The return of the finger piece may be effected by a spring 57 seated in a bore or socket 58 formed in the end of' the platen axle 3,. and pressing outwardly a pin 59 also fitting in said bore, and at its outward end engaging the button 54; and upon this return movement, the springs 19 and 20 will each rotate its. connected pinion-carrying arms as far as possible, and lock them in such positions;

The releasing cam 56 may have at its outer end a peripheral groove 60 to receive the ends of the releasing arms 22, 29, 42 and 48, to detain the pinions mechanically in released positions at Fig.2.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1.'The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of a releasable clutching mechan sm to connect them, lncludmg a finger-piece to release the clutch, four" independent arms or bell-cranks movable by said finger-piece, cams independently operable 'by each of said arms or bell-cranks, and a gear train whose members are locked together by said cams.

2. The combinatlon with a platen and a line-space .wheel, of a releasable clutching mechanism to connect them, including a finger-piece to release the clutch, four independent arms or bell-cranks movable by said finger-piece, cams independently operable by each'of said arms or bell-cranks, and a gear train whose members are locked together by said cams, means being provided for mechanically holdingsaid cams in clutch-releasing positions.

3. The combinationwith a platen and a line-space wheel, of a releasable clutching mechanism to connect them, including a finger-piece to release the clutch, four independent arms or bell-cranks movable by said finger-piece, cams independently operable by each of said arms or bell-cranks, and a gear train whose members are locked together by said cams, means beingprovided for mechanically holding said cams in clutch-releasing positions; said finger-piece being connected to a conical cam to slide along the platen axle and said arms or bella device which is fixed to the platen axle and carries one mem ber of thegear train.

4. The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of a reasonable clutching mechanism to connect them, including a finger-piece to release the clutch, four inde pendent arms or bell-cranks movable by said finger-piece, cams independently operable by each of. said arms or bell-cranks, a gear train whose members are locked together'by said cams, means being provided. for mechani- Cally holding said cams in clutch-releasing positions; said finger-piece being connected to a con'ical cam to slide. along the platen 18 axle and said arms or bell-cranks. being 1ournaled on a devlce WlllCll 1s fiXed to the platen axle and carries one member of the gear tram, and springs operating on sald cam'arms to close sa1d clutch.

- 5.. The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of a train of gears connecting said platen and line-space wheel, a gear ing engagement with sa train, and means to lock sald element 1n lockmg position.

7. The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of-a train of gears con-' necting said platen and linespace wheel, a locking gear permanently in mesh w1th a gear of said train and movable into engagement with a second gear to lockthe train,

and means to positivelylhold said locking gear in locking position.

8. The combmation w1th a platen and a line-space wheel, of a train of gears connecting said platen and line-space wheel, a locking gear permanently in mesh with a gear ,of said train and movable into engagement with a second gear to lock the train, a

. positive lock for the locking gear,and means cooperating with said lock to posltively resaid locking lease the locking gear.

9. The combinationwith a platen and a line-space wheel, of.1nter -'mesh1ng gears carried-by saidplaten and line-space wheel,

a locking gear, resilient means to move the locking gear into position to lock said first named gears, and means to positively lock gear insaid position. 10. The combination with, a platen and a line-space wheel, of a train of gears connecting said platen and line-space wheel, a locking device, a cam to hold said locking device in locking position, and manual means to positively operate the cam to release the locking device.

ried respectively'by said platen. and line-- 11. The combination with. a platen and a line-space Wheel, of a train of gears con-.

necting said platen and line-space wheel, a lock for said train, and'a cam operable to positively hold said lock in locklng position.

12. The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of inter-meshing gears carspace wheel, a locking gear, a cam to operate the locking ear and positively hold it in lockingposition, and means to retract the cam and release the locking gear.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combinationwith a platen an a line-space wheel,

of means for locking t e platen and linespace wheel togethenfcomprising a ring carrier wherever it is placed.

a gear, a pinion-meshing with said gear, a locking gear, a cam to move said locking gear into interlocking engagement withthe ring gear and pinion, a spring to operate the cam, and a manual device to unlock the gears.

14:. The combination of a platen and a line-space wheel, means for locking the platen and line-space wheel together, comprising a ring gear, a pinion, locking gears on opposite sides of said pinion, rock shafts, rock arms secured to said shafts, arms carrying said locking gears and operated by said rock arms, means to operate the rock .shafts in a direction to lock the gears, and.

releasing meansjto operate the rock shafts in the reverse direction.

15. The combination witha platen and aplaten axle, of a line-space wheel loosely mounted on said axle, a ring gear carried by said wheel, a member. fixed to the .platen' axle, a gear carriedby said member in mesh with said ring gear, arms mounted for r0- I tation about the platen axle, locking pinions carried by said arms in mesh with the ring gear, and movable into locking engagement with said piniom rock shafts mounted on said member and operatively connected to said arms, resilient meansto operate said rock shafts in one direction, and a manual device for operating them in a reverse direction. v v

16. The combination with a platen and a line-spacewheel, of a gear and pinion connected to said parts. a releasable pinion to connect said gear and pinion and lock the platen and line-space wheel together, and

'a cam to lock said pinionstogether.

17.The comb1nat1on wlth a platen and a line-space wheel, of a gear and a pinion connected to said .platen and 'line-space wheel, 'independently-movable pinions to meslnwith both said-gear and said pinion, lockingcams to hold them in mesh, and means tomove them out of mesh.

18. The combination witha platen and a line-space wheel, of a gear and a pinion connecting said platen and line-space wheel,

- two pairs of loose pinions, springsand cams operated by said springs and urging .said loose pinions into mesh with the first pinion.

19. The combination of a platen, alinespace wheel, a gear, a carrier movable along said gear, a pinion on said carrier and meshing with said gcar, said gear and pinion being connected to the line-space wheel and platen, four independent loose pinions on said carr1er, spr1ngs, and cams operated by said springs and causing said'loosepinions to mesh with said first pinion to lock the ing rotary devicesalso meshing-with saidgear, an arm or member upon which oneof said rotary devicesis pivoted, said gear and saidarm or member-connected to said linespace wheel and platen respectively, a spring, a lock operated by said spring and forming a positive means to holdsaid intermeshing devices together to connect the platen to the line-space Wheel, and a fingerpiece having means operable manually to separate said rotary devices While the platen is in any position of rotation to permit the platen to be rotated independently of theline-space Wheel.

21. The combination with a platen and a line-space Wheel, of a gear, pinions meshing with said gear, an arm upon which one of said pinlons is pivoted, said arm and said gear being connected to the platen and line-space wheel respectively, a rotary device connected to each of the other pinlons,

22. The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of'a train for locking the platen and line-space Wheel together, a lock, means to yieldingly move the lock to locking position, and positive reacting means to hold the lock in such position.

23. In combination, a platen, a line-space Wheel, a train of gears to connect the platen and line-space Wheel, a lock operated by springs to lock the said train, and positive reacting means of said lock.

24. The combination of a platen and a line-space Wheel, a connecting train, difierential gears independently moved to interlocking en aoement withsaid train to lock the latter with the platen and line-space -wheel in any relative position of rotation,

and means common to said gears for moving them together to locking and releasing position and comprising means to POSltlVBlY hold the gears in said locking position.

BURNHAM o. sTioKNEr.

Witnesses K. FRANKFORT, C. RIPLEY.

to receive the reactive force 

